New ALMA Science Verification Data

Feb 13, 2012

ALMA science activities have been proceeding very well. Since the start of ALMA Early Science Cycle 0 on 30 September 2011 the science time has been shared between ongoing Commissioning and Science Verification (CSV) activities and observing for PI-driven projects. CSV is essential for the completion of the full array which continues to be the highest priority of the ALMA project, and CSV activities take up two-thirds of the available science time. Cycle 0 observing takes up approximately one third of the science time.

The observing for Cycle 0 is being conducted in blocks of 4-5 days every 2 weeks or so. The data quality is excellent, and very clearly demonstrates the scientific potential of ALMA, and the outstanding quality of the site, the hardware and the software. A number of calibrated datasets have successfully completed quality assurance processes and have already been delivered to PIs.

The ALMA science team also continues to make observations for Science Verification purposes using new capabilities and an ever increasing number of antennas. We are pleased to be able to provide further Science Verification datasets to the astronomy community, of which three are available now

· Spiral galaxy M100; a mosaic image at Band 3;

· Interacting galaxy pair The Antennae: a mosaic image at Band 6.

· Our Galactic Center, SgrA*: recombination lines at Band 6;

and a further three will be available very soon

· Our Galactic Center, SgrA*: recombination lines at Band 3;

· Low mass protostar IRAS16293: dense spectrum at Band 6;

· Orion BN/KL: CO(6-5) and continuum observations in Band 9.

These and future datasets listed in the Science Verification pages will be released through the ALMA Science Portal, so please continue to check under the ALMA Data -> Science Verification link for news.